DEMIREL VISITS BANGLADESH

President Suleyman Demirel will visit Bangladesh in order to attend the second Summit of the D-8 Conference on March 1. The Summit will be held in Dakka, where the President will transfer the term-presidency of the D-8 to Bangladesh. The first summit of the D-8 "Conference on Cooperation in Development" was held in Istanbul in 1996 with the participation of Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria. /Cumhuriyet/

CETIN IN LONDON

Turkish Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin, who is in London on a four-day official visit, met British Parliament Speaker Betty Boothroyd yesterday. The Turkish Ambassador to London, Ozdem Sanberk also attended the meeting. Cetin, who also delivered a speech to the Turkish and British Parliaments' Friendship Group, called on European countries to guard themselves against terrorism. Cetin pointed out that there were two problems consisting of, on the one hand, terrorism in the Southeast and, on the other, fundamentalism. Cetin stated that these problems enjoyed foreign support. Cetin also noted that some countries bordering on Turkey were supporting terrorism; a state of affairs which causes great sorrow. /Hurriyet/

OCALAN: "GREECE, SYRIA, IRAN AND GERMANY SUPPORT PKK"

During his first hearing, Abdullah Ocalan said that dirty games had been played on Turkey and he was ready to declare them. Ocalan accepted that armed demonstrations had been initiated by he himself. He added: "The PKK has two camps in Greece where PKK members are trained. The Greek Intelligence Service has provided a significant amount of support to me." Claiming that underhand games had been played on Turkey, Ocalan declared that Syria, Iran, Greece and Germany had all helped the PKK. Ocalan rejected claims of drug smuggling by his organization but, he added, the PKK had carried out a protection racket aimed at smugglers. Apologizing to both the Turkish and Kurdish people, Ocalan said: "I made mistakes. However, for some time after that, the militants have been out of my control. I was responsible for the deaths of 35,000 people. Now, I urge the organization not to shed any more blood". Ocalan pointed out that HADEP had had close ties with the PKK, but the party had acted too much against the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey. "To establish an autonomous Kurdistan was my dream at first, but later my ideas changed when I saw Kurdish and Turkish people living together in peace in Turkey where both nations have the same rights," Ocalan said. Regarding his capture, Ocalan said: "After I had left Syria, I went to Greece but Greece did not keep its promise to give shelter to me. So then I went to Russia, which refused to grant me political asylum. Later, I travelled to Italy, which took the decision to arrest me if I did not leave the country. As a result, I held a meeting with the Greek authorities and they promised to take me to Kenya and later to South Africa. However, I was captured in Kenya." Finally, Ocalan complained that all those countries which had seemed to help him, had, in fact, used him to fulfill their own hidden agendas. Meanwhile, the Prime Ministry rejected claims that Ocalan had not been given permission to meet his lawyers. According to a Prime Ministry statement, Ocalan would meet his two lawyers today. The statement added that if the lawyers appealed to the relevant departments of the Public Prosecutor's Office, this would be implemented in line with the Law. "All the necessary measures have been taken to facilitate the duties of the lawyers. It is not true that Ocalan's lawyers' lives are at risk." Ankara's Second State Security Court (DGM) announced that Lawyer A.Zeki Okcuoglu from the Istanbul Bar and lawyer Hatice Korkut from the Izmir Bar are going to meet Ocalan today. Furthermore, 60 more lawyers have already applied to the Ankara DGM to defend Ocalan. /Milliyet/Sabah/

TURKEY INCREASES ITS PRESSURE

While Turkey harshly rebukes European countries which support the PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan, in the meantime, it says that it is ready to share its experiences regarding the struggle against terrorism. Ankara has conveyed a report on the PKK and its leader Ocalan to all related European countries, saying that she was ready to cooperate in the struggle against terrorism. Germany was sent messages which stated that the worst reprisals by PKK terrorists were being carried out in Germany in the aftermath of Ocalan's capture, and advised the German government to take stringent security measures. The messages also called on Germany to deport PKK militants from the country. /Hurriyet/

EU REQUESTS SOLUTION

The European Parliament tried not to muddle the Ocalan issue with the Kurdish issue at a meeting held yesterday in Brussels. The European MPs decided that Turkey should begin the process of solving the Kurdish issue through political channels by positively utilizing the capture of Ocalan. They claimed that separatism and cultural nations were completely different from each other and they accepted that the Kurdish issue was an international one. The EP announcement will be declared and voted on tomorrow. In the meantime, it has been announced that the European Union (EU) Troika will visit Turkey. First, the Political Directors and later the Troika Ministers will arrive in Turkey, it has been reported. The expected visit will take place on 3 March. Ludger Volmer, the State Secretary of Germany, spoke on behalf of the EU Council, pointing out that "the international community had failed to try Ocalan." Volmer said, "The PKK has damaged its own respectability through its terrorist activities; it does not represent the Kurdish people." /Cumhuriyet-Milliyet/

EP CONDEMNS TERRORISM

Hans van den Broek, a member from the European Parliament responsible for Foreign Affairs, said that they should support Turkey in its struggle against terrorism. Broek noted that they condemn every type of terrorism and declared that Turkey's territorial integrity could not be questioned. /Hurriyet/

GREECE ON NSC'S AGENDA

The main theme of the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, to be held today at the Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of President Demirel, is the recent developments which have revealed strong links between Greece and the terrorist PKK organization. Along with the question of Ocalan and Greek support for separatist terrorism in Turkey, it is reported that the Council will also discuss the possible security measures to be taken with regard to the forthcoming elections and the recent governmental attempts to expedite industrial and financial investments in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. On the other hand, it is also claimed that the issue of `Penitence Law', which was prioritized by Prime Minister Ecevit's statements immediately after the capture of Ocalan, may also become one of the topics to be debated in today's meeting. Meanwhile, yesterday evening, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received General Ergin Celasin, the General Secretary of the National Security Council. It is reported that, during the one-hour meeting, General Celasin informed the Prime Minister about the Council's agenda.

ECEVIT GIVES WARRANTY TO OCALAN'S LAWYERS

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit declared that the government will ensure that the lawyers of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the terrorist PKK organization, will be able to fulfill their duties in complete freedom. Ecevit noted that during his meeting with President Demirel at the Presidential Palace, they had discussed the trial procedures for Ocalan and he had informed the President about the specifics of the issue. Ecevit said, "From now on, Imrali is under the control of the judical authorities. A variety of medical measures have been taken for Ocalan, so that there is no need for anybody to worry about his health. Our state will provide Ocalan's lawyers with every means necessary to carry our their legal and defensive duties in full freedom. There is no reason for anybody to concern themselves with this process as well. The lawyers demanded that their lives be placed under the protection of the state. We are taking every necessary precaution to that end." /Turkiye/

"ATHENS SHOULD BE REPROACHED"

Paul Henze, a famous US foreign policy specialist, described the PKK leader Ocalan's affidavit concerning Greek support for PKK terrorism as a scandal, noting that the US will definitely be responsive to the issue. Henze said, "If it is proved, in line with Ocalan's claims, that the PKK is sponsored also by Greece as well as Russia and Syria, nobody will have the right to blame Turkey for any further developments in the matter." /Turkiye/

2,000 PKK MEMBERS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN IRAN

The People's Fighters' Organization, a group opposing the regime in Iran, claimed yesterday that, following the demonstrations in the Senendec district of Western Iran, 2,000 PKK members had been taken into custody. The organization also implied that young people had been killed during the demonstrations and a state of emergency had been announced in the district. It was earlier declared that 18 people had died during the demonstrations in Senendec; however, the Iranian government has denied this claim. /Hurriyet/

US EXPERT: PKK CANNOT FIND NEW OCALAN

A US expert on Turkey from the Washington Institute, Alan Makovsky, said that in the aftermath of Ocalan's capture, the PKK would be divided and the terrorist organization would not be able to find a new leading figure. Makovsky, who was replying to questions put to him by The Voice of America (VOA) radio station, said that he thought that Turkey would not permit any foreign TV channels to broadcast the Ocalan case apart from Turkish channels. Makovksy noted that Turkey wants to demonstrate that its judicial system is open and fair. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY ADMONISHES GREECE

The Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman, Sermet Atacanli, said yesterday that there would be no solidarity with the countries which support terrorism. Atacanli noted that Turkey expects Greece to openly condemn the PKK terrorist organization and sever its relations with the PKK. Atacanli pointed out that proof of the support lent by Greece to the PKK has been demonstrated time and time again since the beginning of the 1980s. Atacanli stated that if Greece continues to facilitate PKK activities, Turkey will take any precaution necessary. /Aksam/

JENKINS APOLOGIZES TO TURKEY

In his article in 'The Times' newspaper published in Britain, Simon Jenkins, who drew a parallel between Turkey and Serbia, and hoped for Turkey to be bombed, sincerely apologized to Turkey following the harsh reaction of the Turkish nation. Jenkins issued a written statement yesterday and protested that he had been misunderstood. Jenkins pointed out that the internal problems of a country ought not to be intervened in and said: "If separatism is on the agenda, every initiative to be taken should fall upon that country". He said that he actually wanted to criticize the mentality of Western countries which are growing used to bombing as a means of problem-solving. /Aksam/

VISA FOR GREEK CITIZENS

Ankara has begun to implement strict measures against Athens, which is alleged to be a supporter of terrorism. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has finalized its procedures to re-implement a visa requirement for Greek citizens wishing to enter Turkey. This issue will be deliberated during high-level meetings in the upcoming days. Turkey lifed the requirement for Greeks to obtain a visa in 1985, when the late Turgut Ozal was the Turkish Prime Minister; at the same time Athens wanted the European Union (EU) countries to ensure that it became more difficult for Turks to obtain a visa. /Hurriyet/

ANKARA DGM ON OCALAN

Ankara State Security Court (DGM) yesterday separated the files concerning the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan from other files, so that Ocalan will be prosecuted on his own. The hearing of one, of the trials, in which Ocalan has been prosecuted 'in absentia', was held yesterday in Ankara. The other defendant at the trial, Yalcin Kucuk, and his lawyers were present at the hearing. In a new development, the European Court of Human Rights has rejected a demand by Ocalan's attorneys to take precautionary measures related to his prosecution, the Anatolia news agency reports.

TURCO-GREEK BUSINESS COUNCIL CANCELS ALL JOINT ACTIVITIES

Rahmi Koc, Chairman of the Turco-Greek Business Council's Board of Directors, announced that the Council had cancelled all joint activities planned with Greece. Koc said that this was the result of Greece's mistaken and hostile attitude against Turkey which has continued for years in a way that has significantly harmed Turco-Greek relations. Koc issued a written statement in which he said that the protection and support of terrorist organizations is not acceptable from any country and that it had been revealed that Greece has protected and supported terrorism. /All papers/

PRO-OCALAN DEMONSTRATIONS

Widespread and stringent security measures are in place in Istanbul in order to prevent out-breaks of violence in the city on the part of supporters of the imprisoned PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan. The result has been a series of incidents in outlying districts such as Gazi Mahallesi, Bagcilar, Bahcelievler and Kucukcekmece. By Wednesday afternoon, 62 people had been arrested for involvement in illegal demonstrations and throwing Molotov cocktails. Yesterday, massive pro-Ocalan demonstrations were held in Germany and Italy. In Rome, PKK supporters from across Europe marched in support of Ocalan. Organizers claimed some 25,000 people, mainly Italian supporters of the PKK, took part in the action. Police reinforcements guarded sensitive sites in Rome, such as the downtown office of Turkish Airlines, which was attacked by demonstrators last weekend. In Berlin, 10 PKK demonstrators were taken into custody for carrying guns. The demonstration was organized to commemorate the three PKK supporters who were killed by Israeli security officials last week while trying to enter the Israeli Embassy in Berlin. /All papers/

MADRID SEEKS TO OBSTRUCT KURDISH GATHERING

The Spanish Deputy Information Minister, Martin Marin, said that the government planned to resort to the Constitutional Court to prevent the convening of the so-called Kurdish Parliament in-exile in the Basque Parliament building, the Anatolia news agency reports. Marin said that the real intention of the Basque Parliament in allowing the meeting was not sympathy for the Kurdish case, but a desire to draw attention to itself in the international arena.

COOPERATION WITH MOSSAD

The Middle East correspondent for the British "The Independent" newspaper, Robert Fisk, said that the governments in Ankara and Tel Aviv had shared their experiences on the issue of the "occupation of security regions in South Lebanon and Northern Iraq" and they jointly cooperated against Syria. The article remarked that Turco-Israeli military cooperation was not limited only to the modernization of Turkish war planes and the production of missile systems by Syria for Turkey, but, in addition, the Turkish and Israeli Air Forces used each others' air-space in which to hold training flights. The report claimed that Turkey and Israel had established a "joint listening post" on the Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian borders and the post was of vital importance, at least on the part of Israel. Finally, Fisk pointed out that the US headed regular meetings between Turkish and Israeli Intelligence Officers in Tel Aviv. /Milliyet/

TIGHT CONTROL AGAINST FOREIGN WORKERS

The Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security has prepared a bill which will re-regulate the work permits given to foreign workers in Turkey. It is reported that the bill will impose heavy fines as well as vacation shut-down punishments on those who illegally employ foreign workers. In the preamble of the bill, it is emphasized that the question of foreigners workering illegally in Turkey has recently been exacerbated due to the domestic developments in neighboring countries. /Turkiye/

PARTY HEAVY GUNS KNOCKED DOWN BY LEADERS

In line with the Election timetable, the political parties have finalized their lists of candidates to run in the scheduled April 18 Parliamentary and Local Elections and submitted them to the Supreme Elections Board (YSK). Tansu Ciller's True Path Party (DYP), in particular, left many party veterans off the list. Similarly, the Motherland Party (ANAP) also excluded many of its leading personalities. Only the names of one third of its current deputies appeared on the candidate lists. One of the more controversial names to be put forward as a candidate was that of the leader of the now-defunct Welfare Party (RP), Necmettin Erbakan. The former Prime Minister applied to the Electoral Board as an Independent candidate for Konya. Another RP figure, former Justice Minister Sevket Kazan, has also declared himself to be an Independent candidate for the central Anatolian city of Bilecik. /All papers/

$200 MILLION IN LOANS FROM JAPAN

The Japanese Eximbank will extend $200 million in loans to the Turkish Eximbank. The loans will be used to meet the financial requirements of small and medium-scale enterprises and to support exports. It is reported that work is going-on in order to allocate and utilize the loans. /Aksam/

TARTAN: NEW LABOUR MINISTER

After Finance Minister Zekeriya Temizel became a candidate for the Istanbul Mayorship, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated yesterday that Labour and Social Security Minister Nami Cagan is to become the Finance Minister and the Democratic Left Party's (DSP) Izmir Deputy, Hakan Tartan, has been appointed the new Labour and Social Security Minister. Ecevit noted that he believed that Temizel would solve Istanbul's problems. /Aksam/

FIRST EURO BOND EXPORTS FROM TREASURY

The Treasury achieved the first bond exports on the European Euro-market yesterday. The annual interest rate for bonds worth 500 million Euros is 9.5 %; the bonds are valid for five years. According to a statement made by the Treasury, the export was achieved with the cooperation and mediation of Deutsche Bank and Paribas. /Hurriyet/

SAKIP SABANCI IS HONORARY FELLOW OF BEVERLY HILLS

The Head of the Executive Board of the Sabanci Holding Company, Sakip Sabanci, has become the Honorary Fellow of Beverly Hills, where many noted US artists and wealthy citizens live. The title of the Fellowship was awarded to Sabanci by the Mayor of Beverly Hills during a ceremony yesterday. The Mayor thanked Sabanci for the calligraphy collection which he had brought to Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Sabanci said, for his part, that he was proud to be the Honorary Fellow of Beverly Hills. /Hurriyet/

VEHBI KOC TO BE COMMEMORATED

Family members will commemorate pioneer industrialist Vehbi Koc today in Istanbul on the third anniversary of his death, family members said. Koc, who died in 1996, was the founder and long-time Chairman of Koc Holding, one of the world's 500 biggest conglomerates. /All papers/

TURKISH TRADE CENTRE TO OPEN IN AMSTERDAM

The Benelux Group International Trade, Industry and Law Company is trying to found a Turkish Trade Centre in Amsterdam, said company official Ibrahim Emre. Emre told the Anatolia news agency that the Turkish trading base will be very close to Amsterdam Airport, whose annual trade volume totals $450 billion.

TORRENTIAL RAIN AND STORMS HIT TURKEY

More rainy weather is expected to hit Turkey in the coming days. According to a statement from the State Meteorology General Directorate, Northern and Eastern parts of Turkey will be rainy while the Marmara, Black Sea, Southeastern and Eastern regions will receive heavy rain and snow. /All papers/

NEW HORIZONS FOR SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA

AIESEC, which has been providing international exchange programmes for university students now for 45 years in Turkey, is implementing new organizations such as `New Horizons for Southeastern Anatolia' and the `Mardin Social Development Project'. Pelin Bingol, the Public Relations Coordinator for the AIESEC-Turkey, said that as part of these new projects, many university students in Southeastern Anatolia was educated last year for six months in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir in line with their career plans. Meanwhile, Bingol also noted that the AIESEC's Izmir department implements a special project towards an exchange of Greek and Turkish students as well. /Cumhuriyet/

THIRTY TRILLION FOR THE SOUTHEAST

Every step of the development package for the Southern and Southeastern regions is aimed to "employ the youth from the mountains". It is estimated that there are still 10,000 young people in the mountains. If they wished to benefit from the Repentence Law, they would be employed. In order to achieve this aim the government is giving priority to the completion of the construction of industrial facilities in the region. The total the development package to the Southeast is 30 trillion TL. The "Second Immediate Support Programme" will be extended to the six provinces which are still under the State of Emergency rules. Later, the Turkish Development Bank will fix the incomplete facilities, the Treasury will transfer money and the Halkbank will offer a 100 billion TL loan in order to finish the construction. /Sabah/

STATE MINISTER PROMISES REFORM TO INDUSTRIALISTS

State Minister Hikmey Ulugbay attended the Istanbul Industrialists' Chamber (ISO) Meeting yesterday in Istanbul. During his address to the meeting, Ulugbay said that after 18 April elections the new Parliament should discuss and legalize Bills concerning structural reforms, especially the Social Security and Agriculture Reforms. Regarding complaints concerning the economic recession, Ulugbay said that the industry, finance and services sectors should cooperate in order to overcome the recent global crisis. The Chairman of the ISO Administration Board, Husamettin Kavi, said, for his part, that the solutions and remedies for the economic recession was in the hands of the State, the government and the private sector. /Sabah/

DINCMEN RECEIVES JCR DELEGATION

Yener Dincmen, the Undersecretary of the Treasury, received yesterday the JCR delegation led by Masami Shigematsu. No detailed statement was given about the agenda of the meeting. The JCR delegation will maintain talks with the Turkish economy circles and leave for Japan on Friday, the Anatolia news agency reports.

PREPARATIONS FOR OSCE SUMMIT

The Foreign Ministry gave the start for preparations for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit Meeting, which will take place in November 1999 in Istanbul, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Addressing a weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli, said that an 'Istanbul Summit Executive Secretariat' was established within the Foreign Ministry structure in accordance with the OSCE and Ambassador Sadi Calislar was appointed as the Executive Secretary.

FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION IN KOSOVO

The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that rights and freedoms beyond the 1974 Constitution should be given to all national communities in Kosovo including the Turkish minority to find a permanent solution for the Kosovo issue within the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Foreign Ministry issued a written statement yesterday saying that the news informing that there were clashes in Kosovo created concerns, the Anatolia news agency reports.

DENKTAS CAUTIONS THE GREEK-CYPRIOTS

In the wake of President Demirel's rebuke of Greece concerning its support for the terrorist PKK organization, Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), cautioned the Greek-Cypriots, remarking that they will pay the price of Greek sponsorship of the PKK. Denktas mentioned that after the verification of the relationship between the Greek-Cypriot Administration and the PKK, they admonished their Greek-Cypriot counterparts and submitted a note to UN officials on the island. President Denktas said, "Unfortunately, the Greek-Cypriot Administration insists on remaining deaf to our warnings. Pkk militants continue to receive support from the Greek-Cypriot Administration. To support a terrorist organization deliberately is a very dangerous policy; the Greek-Cypriot people should not allow this. The next few months will be very critical for both parties." /Cumhuriyet/

OTTOMAN WORLD CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

Sadberk Hanim Museum organizes a Conference in February every year. It has been announced that "The Ottoman World" is the topic of this years' Conference on 27 February. During the Conference the cultural and humanitarian aspects of the Ottoman Empire will be discussed under the title of "The Ottoman World in the 16th Century: the Establishment of the New Era's Culture". Turkish and foreign academics famous for their studies on Ottoman history will attend the Conference. The opening address of the Conference will be given by the Head of the Executive Board of Sadberk Hanim Museum, part of the Vehbi Koc Foundation. /Milliyet/

A TURKISH PAINTER IN MOSCOW

Turkish painter Sedef Hatapkapulu, who has been studying her art both in Russia and Turkey, opened her first Exhibition in Moscow. The Exhibition is the first one to be opened by a Turkish artist in Russia. The Exhibition, "Moscow Traces" drew the attention of an captivated the Russian media; in addition, some TV stations interviewed with Hatapkapulu, who up to now has opened exhibitions in Turkey, Austria and Italy. /Milliyet/

WORLD OF FASHION MEETS AT IFF'99

The 10th International Istanbul Fashion Fair, which is being held between February 25-28, 1999, is bringing together many world-renowned national and foreign companies. The Fair, which is organized in a closed hall 22,000 m2 in area, is hosting more than 250 ready-to-wear firms. /Turkiye/

FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....

"MEASURES AGAINST GREECE" -BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Sami Kohen wrote in his column in Milliyet newspaper today about the "start" given by President Suleyman Demirel concerning Greek-PKK links. Following his message to all related authorities, Ankara is now in the process of preparing new plans and efforts via Turkish diplomacy. Kohen pointed out that the main aim of Turkey is to make known Greek-PKK relations and the support that Greece has been giving to the PKK for many years. In order to attain the target, Kohen added, Turkey will follow both an indirect and a direct way. The indirect way is that Turkey has already sent documents which prove Greek-PKK complicity to Turkey's neighbouring countries, international institutions and to the global public opinion. As a next step, Turkey will remind these countries and international institutions of their responsibilities against terrorism; it is planned to call for the convening of a NATO meeting. Within this scope, the role of the US is very important. Turkish authorities hope that Washington will be eminently persuasive (and pressurize) Athens through diplomatic channels. In a direct way, Kohen remarked that Greece will be monitored very closely watch following admonition issued by President Suleyman Demirel. The attitudes expected to undergo a change in the Simitis Administration are as follows: the support given to the PKK and Athens' responsibility in the issue ought to be acknowledged; previous attacks (against Turkish diplomats in the past) ought to be investigated; PKK camps and offices ought to be closed down; and "Kurdish refugees" who are active against Turkey ought to be expelled or closely guarded. Otherwise, Turkey will freeze her relations with Greece, visas will be required by Greeks wishing to enter Turkey, Greek activities in Turkey will be closely monitored, the issue of the Western Thrace will be put on the agenda, the Confidence-Building-Measures to prevent military tension in the Aegean will be postponed and the slightest provocation by Greece in the Aegean will meet a harsh response. Sami Kohen added another point saying that Turkey evaluated relations between Greek and Southern-Cyprus in conjuction with the PKK and Ocalan. The Greek-Cypriot Administration's attitude, from now on, is going to be effective in determining Turkey's Cyprus policy. /Milliyet/

THE HEAVY DEFEAT OF EUROPE - BY ZEYNEP ATIKKAN (HURRIYET)

Zeynep Atikkan, a columnist in the `Hurriyet' daily, reflects on the recent developments in Turco-EU relations. Atikkan writes: "The Luxembourg discrimination document has encouraged an atmosphere in which even a `neighbor and ally' can sponsor terrorism. Furthermore, Turkey and Greece have come at the brink of a very serious, tense situation. Who is responsible for that? A both prejudiced and problematic mentality has excluded Turkey from the reconstitution of Europe through a series of `reasons' expressed in Luxembourg. The post-Luxembourg process was marked by efforts to place Turkey on a second ring to be formed in the periphery of the EU. The inventors of the `second ring' thesis ornamented their rhetoric with that stereotyped expression, `We will ensure very special, close relations with Turkey.' I know that the consultants to most of the European Foreign Ministers share this view. Yet it is impossible to continue Turco-EU relations on such a footing: that mentality, which assigns Turkey a role in the `second ring' due to cultural prejudices, has recently received a serious blow. Europe, with no common foreign policy, has tried to design a foreign policy against Turkey which eventually brought two neighbours to breaking point. Now it is hard for Europe to use the word `terrorism'; it is unable to reproach Greece and it is unable to accept its own complicity. Europeans should read the Luxembourg discrimination document, which recoiled on themselves. In turn, Turkey's success is rooted in the fact that she never credits hatred and hostility. Thus, the values which Europe left behind have never been disgraced in this land. The league of the global world is determined not only by economic power but also by the values adopted by a country. What Europe ought to do now is to knock on Turkey's door and insist that she become the 12th candidate. There seems to be no other solution on the horizon."

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